The emerging structure of a political coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections has been revealed, with former Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State appointed to lead two strategic committees.
The announcement was made by Dr. Umar Ardo, Convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), during a press briefing in Abuja following an expanded meeting where the elitist group declared its commitment to the coalition.
Notable political figures such as former Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and other northern political leaders were present at the meeting.
The coalition is backed by high-profile opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
According to Ardo, Imoke is leading the committee tasked with exploring the option of merging with an existing political platform, while Amaechi chairs the group considering the formation of a new political party.
Ardo stated, “We resolved to support the National Opposition Coalition Group for the transitional politics towards 2027 and to contribute in the dialogue on either to register a new political party as the vehicle to drive the politics or fuse into an existing political party.”
He further explained that a conclusive decision on whether to proceed with a new party or integrate into an existing one will be made on May 30.
“The coalition set up two committees, among others, to consider the desirability or feasibility of registering a new political party and to consider fusing into an existing political party. Both committees submitted their reports,” Ardo said.
“The committee for fusing into another political party is headed by former Governor Liyel Imoke and the committee for registering a new political party was chaired by erstwhile Governor Rotimi Amaechi. I was the secretary of that subcommittee for the registering of new political parties.”
He added that discussions are ongoing regarding possible collaboration with existing parties such as the Action Democratic Party (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai brought a complaint that SDP is interested in being considered for the fusing. For that, the committee set up the 30th of this month to decide either to go with ADC, SDP or form a new political party. So, we in the LND here have resolved to support that position.”
Addressing broader regional concerns, Ardo emphasized the coalition’s intent to engage northern governors over socio-economic challenges plaguing the region.
“We also resolved to engage the 19 northern governors on the terrible situation in the North, the endemic poverty, destitution, insecurity and unemployment facing Northern Nigeria. Most of us have agreed that the biggest problem is the inertia of our 19 northern governors.”
“So we resolved that we are going to engage them one way or the other. We resolved to mobilize the North and by extension all Nigerians to pressure government, especially legislators to uphold, defend and protect the constitution of Nigeria,” he concluded.
